CORTEZ – A father of five was ordered to serve two consecutive two-year prison terms in connection with terrorizing a Cortez neighborhood with a machete during the summer.

After pleading guilty to three counts of felony menacing and a single count of resisting arrest in October, Walter Marquez, 36, of Cortez was sentenced Thursday. After prison time with the Colorado Department of Corrections, he will serve four years of parole. He was given credit for 108 days of time served.

The charges stem from a July 23 attack when Marquez, armed with a bloody machete, forced entry into three residences along the 500 block of N. Harrison Street.

Wearing a navy blue suit and tie before Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker, Marquez read a prepared written statement at his sentencing, addressing the court for seven minutes. He not only apologized for the fear and emotional trauma his “evil actions” caused the victims, but he also expressed sorrow to court officials, police officers, the community and his family.

“There’s no excuse for my actions,” Marquez said, his voice crackling. “I wish I could take that day back. Admittedly, it was a very monstrous act.”

Several family members spoke on Marquez’s behalf seeking leniency in a proposed five-year prison sentence. Louis Edwards, grandfather to one of Marquez’s children, argued lengthy jail time could potentially push Marquez further down the wrong path.

This story has been corrected since its original publication.